BBC Earth Experience, London

An immersive, sustainable and demountable exhibition space

• CLIENT: Mooneye Productions and ES Global
• LOCATION: Earl's Court, London
• AREA: 3,500m²
• SERVICES: Events and Architecture

Occupying a meanwhile-use site, on part of the Earl’s Court Development Corporation land in west London, the Earth Experience was designed to provide visitors with the awesome experience of exploring our planet in an immersive audio-visual setting. Along with state-of-the-art digital screen technology, narration was by the legendary naturalist, Sir David Attenborough.

With WOO architects as lead designer, and construction completed within six months, the long, low exhibition structure featured a timber-clad facade and canopy which acted as a placemaking billboard and wayfinding for the experience.

Reflecting the ethos of the exhibition, the temporary structure was designed to be environmentally sensitive and demountable. The approach to the building was planted with native species which were also repurposed at the end of the exhibition.

WOO worked with ES Global for Mooneye Productions and Live Nation Entertainment.

Matthew Walker, Associate Director at WOO: ‘There’s a responsibility for all architects to consider the value of what they’re designing when compared to the long-term health of our planet. Designing a fully demountable building gave us licence to explore materials that both house highest grade technology, but also to think creatively about its end-of-life.’